National Premier Leagues SA soccer season set to kick off on Friday, February 16
A CLASH between rival clubs of Greek origins and the top flight debut of a promoted newcomer headline next month’s opening round of fixtures in the National Premier Leagues SA soccer season.
A CLASH between rival clubs of Greek origins will kick off the National Premier Leagues SA soccer season next month.
Adelaide Olympic hosts West Adelaide at the Parks on Friday, February 16, in the first match of the 22-round campaign.
Reigning champion Croydon Kings open their season the following day at home to Para Hills, while last year’s minor premier Adelaide City faces newly-promoted South Adelaide.
Fellow new boys Sturt Lions begin their debut top flight campaign against Adelaide United youth at the Shores and FFA Cup SA holder MetroStars take on three-time champion Campbelltown City.
Adelaide Comets close the opening round against West Torrens Birkalla at SA Athletics Stadium on February 18.
In other standout fixtures, City hosts Croydon in a grand final rematch on April 21, and West plays Campbelltown in its first match at its new Kilburn Stadium on May 13.
The regular season concludes on August 4, ahead of the top-six finals series.
The championship decider will be on the weekend of August 31-September 2.
Promoted Seaford Rangers meet relegated SA soccer powerhouse Adelaide Blue Eagles in the opening round of the State League One campaign on February 19.
Second-tier newcomer Fulham United travels to play Noarlunga United two days earlier and renamed Port Adelaide, formerly Pirates, will be at home to Salisbury United.
Football Federation SA chief executive Michael Carter hoped interest in the local competition would continue to grow, after weekly matches regularly attracted more than 4500 online views last year.
“We have newly-promoted teams testing themselves against tougher opposition and it will be great to see how two of our newer clubs, Sturt Lions and Fulham, fare in their new leagues,” Carter said.
“We saw a huge increase with our online viewership of the live streamed match of the round.
“It was a great success and I am confident this will increase again this season.”
Full 2018 season fixtures available at ffsa.com.au